Marines and family members gathered together to say good-bye and watch the Death Jester pilots board EA-6B Prowlers and soar into the morning sun to help secure freedom for the Iraqi people.

"The mission is to provide force protection for the Marines on the ground. VMAQ-2's goal is to provide as much support for those Marines as we can," said Capt. Roderick D. Capili, the unit information officer at VMAQ-2.

All of the job tasking is set for VMAQ-2. "We have been preparing for this every since we got back from our first deployment to Iraq, and we plan on executing several types of missions with different emphasis on Prowler capabilities," said Capili.

Kelly E., wife of pilot Capt. Christopher E., said she will miss everything about her husband and best friend. Deployments are hard, but my family is determined to make things work..

My husband has been preparing to face combat for over 14 years. Hes a Marine. I know hes in one of the best squadrons and in a safe aircraft, said Kelly.

Capili is optimistic about VMAQ-2S second tour of duty in Iraq. "It's a good mix of Marines we have at VMAQ-2. We are combining the experience of many Marines throughout VMAQ-2, with green Marines who want some ribbons on their chests.

(As requested by VMAQ-2, the last names of pilots and their families will be withheld for security purposes.)

Can't tell from the article if the whole squadron is deploying, or just a detachment. Considering the scarcity of Jamming aircraft (the EA-6B is considered a joint asset) I would be surprised if the entire squadron is shipping out.

VMAQ-2 was split into three squadrons in July of 1992: VMAQ-1, 2 and 3. VMAQ-4 at Whidbey Island became an active duty squadron and relocated to Cherry Point. Thus, VMAQ-2 Det X, Y and Z no longer exist. Each squadron has five Prowlers. All of Q-2 is going.

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